PNP denies Maute group in Glan hospital

31 May 2017

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GLAN, Sarangani (May 31, 2017) – Police and hospital authorities denied a report by The Manila Times that wounded Maute men had sought treatment in a hospital here.

The Manila Times published online on May 29 that “fully armed men suspected to be members of the retreating Maute group, barged into a government hospital in Glan, Sarangani province demanding treatment for their seriously wounded comrades and threatened doctors and employees not to report their presence to the authorities or they will be mercilessly killed.”

But hospital and police authorities told Sarangani Information Office yesterday (May 30) that no such incident happened. The alleged suspects were not armed Maute men but gays selling cosmetics.

Chief of Hospital Dr. Eden Rose Malanao, who denied the The Manila Times news, said she received “intelligence report” at around 10am Monday (May 29) that men aboard a Starex van en route to Malapatan were allegedly looking for the nearest hospital which is located at Glan.

Malapatan is the last municipality to pass through before reaching Glan if taking the route via General Santos City.

“So I immediately alerted the hospital’s watchmen and gates to be closed,” Malanao recounted, “and yes a vehicle arrived 15 minutes after but not Starex but Innova.”

A gay man then approached her and introduced himself as member of Feel Care Company who would like to conduct make-up demo, Malanao said, but when he was asked for identification he went back straight to the vehicle supposedly to get ID but eventually left.

Malanao immediately alerted the Philippine National Police of their departure which the latter managed to intercept about 1 kilometer away in Barangay Ilaya.

According to SPO1 Alexander Jugapar, the group of four gays and a male driver reportedly from Davao, aboard a black Innova with plate number YDY 756 was eventually released after yielding negative of any item or identity that could be linked to the Maute or any terrorist group.&

“Only cosmetics” were seen inside the vehicle according to Jugarap, which the group was supposed to offer as promo to the hospital’s nurses.

Deputy Officer-In-Charge P/Insp. Danilo P. Abayata said there are “no confirmed reports” of the Maute group’s presence in the town although he admitted there had been false information reported to the police.

Abayata said monitoring is ongoing especially in coastal barangays of Glan which could be entry points. Barangay Intelligence Networks have also been established aside from the in-placed check points.

Dr. Malanao has issued the one- or two-watcher policy in the hospital. “There is going to be body frisking now. Luggage will be checked. Only one gate will be opened. We will also be issuing visitors’ ID and watchers’ ID.” (Beverly C. Paoyon /SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)